Nurses’ Roles in Promoting Family Decisions Regarding Organ Donation of Brain Dead Patients: A Case Study

Abstract

         Requesting organ donations from the family of patients who are brain dead for organ transplantation to prolong the lives of others is a complicated and complex process. The success of organ procurement depends largely on the ability of the healthcare team who are involved in this process to effectively communicate with the family to make the decision about organ donation. In so doing, a nurse plays a significant role in enhancing this success. This paper aims to demonstrate how a nurse play the role in promoting family decisions during the process of organ procurement of two patients potentially brain dead. There are 3 steps in an organ procurement process: identification of potential organ donors, making a request for organ donation, and caring for the donor and family when the donation decision is made. The nurse should utilize trained, specialized knowledge and skills including preparation prior to making a request, building rapport with the family, communication skill, and requesting the organs and contents. Nurses who are trained and developed in such skills will help effectively communicate with the family. This will result in successful family decision-making as regards organ donation.